How to Troubleshoot a Ductless Mini-Split

Allow three minutes to pass after the mini split air conditioner activates just after being turned off. The system is programmed not to operate for three minutes after reactivation as a safety measure.

Remove furniture, such as sofas, chairs or curtains from the vents at the front of the unit, if cooling efficiency is low. The cool air generated by the mini-split is unable to circulate through the room, if the vents are blocked. In like fashion, inspect the inlet grille to confirm that nothing is sucked up against it. The mini split system is unable to produce cool air, if the unit is unable to pull air into the unit.

Unplug the unit from its power source and plug it back in to reset the connection, if the unit fails to turn on. If a reset fails to restore power to the unit, locate the breaker box within the home or building and pinpoint the breaker that controls the unit. Inspect the state of the breaker switch. If the switch is set to the middle or “Off’ position, the breaker is tripped and electricity is unable to flow to the mini split system. Flip the breaker switch to the “On” position and turn the unit on.

Open the inside component’s front panel and remove the air filter from the unit, if the unit fails to cool air efficiently. The air filter might be very dirty and prevent air from flowing freely into the unit. Clean the air filter according to the manufacturer instructions. This might include the use of only flowing water or a vacuum cleaner.

Press the “Fan Speed” button on the remote control or on the unit interface to increase the fan speed, if the unit cools the room too slowly. The “Fan Speed” button allows the user to increase or lower the fan speed.

Move closer to the unit with the remote control, if the remote control fails to command the mini-split unit. Some air conditioner units require that the remote control be used within approximately 20 feet of the unit. Clean the signal receiver area on the mini-split interface, if fresh batteries are within the remote and you stand within range but the remote control fails to work. The remote control sensor or unit signal receiver might be blocked with dirt.